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chrisy · 05-21-2008, 12:38 PM

Brenda,

I'm not the best person to help, as I was very fortunate and tolerated chemo (T/C/H) very well.

What anti-nausea meds have you been given? There are a number of different ones, some of which work differently from each other and therefore can be taken together. In all cases, it is recommended to take them BEFORE you get really sick as it is easier to gain control. Work with your doctor/nurse to help you with this.

On the complementary side, acupuncture, acupressure and meditation there is evidence that these can help with nausea and possibly energy level. I had regular acupressure and "energy work" during chemo and I think this did help me. At worst, it falls into the "might help, can't hurt" category.

I did have very sensitive gum/mouth. Use a very mild toothpaste (I used Tom's of Maine) and if you use a mouthwash, make sure there is no alcohol in it. Biotene is a mild one that is recommended for use during chemo.

As you are learning, chemo is not fun but I think there still may be some things you can do that will make it easier. Just keeping yourself focused on the goal of completely defeating the cancer is also important. It's a pretty powerful "YES" that will stand up well!

Hang in there,
Chris

05-21-2008, 12:38 PM	#3
chrisy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Central Coast, CA Posts: 3,207	Brenda, I'm not the best person to help, as I was very fortunate and tolerated chemo (T/C/H) very well. What anti-nausea meds have you been given? There are a number of different ones, some of which work differently from each other and therefore can be taken together. In all cases, it is recommended to take them BEFORE you get really sick as it is easier to gain control. Work with your doctor/nurse to help you with this. On the complementary side, acupuncture, acupressure and meditation there is evidence that these can help with nausea and possibly energy level. I had regular acupressure and "energy work" during chemo and I think this did help me. At worst, it falls into the "might help, can't hurt" category. I did have very sensitive gum/mouth. Use a very mild toothpaste (I used Tom's of Maine) and if you use a mouthwash, make sure there is no alcohol in it. Biotene is a mild one that is recommended for use during chemo. As you are learning, chemo is not fun but I think there still may be some things you can do that will make it easier. Just keeping yourself focused on the goal of completely defeating the cancer is also important. It's a pretty powerful "YES" that will stand up well! Hang in there, Chris __________________ Chris in Scotts Valley June 2002 extensive hi grade DCIS (pre-cancer-stage 0, clean sentinal node) Mastectomy/implant - no chemo, rads. "cured?" 9/2004 Diag: Stage IV extensive liver mets (!) ER/PR- Her2+++ 10/04-3/05 Weekly Taxol/Carboplatin/Herceptin , complete response! 04/05 - 4/07 Herception every 3 wks, Continue NED 04/07 - recurrence to liver - 2 spots, starting tykerb/avastin trial 06/07 8/07 10/07 Scans show stable, continue on Tykerb/Avastin 01/08 Progression in liver 02/08 Begin (TDM1) trial 08/08 NED! It's Working! Continue on TDM1 02/09 Continue NED 02/10 Continue NED. 5/10 9/10 Scans NED 10/10 Scans NED 12/10 Scans not clear....4/11 Scans suggest progression 6/11 progression confirmed in liver 07/11 - 11/11 Herceptin/Xeloda -not working:( 12/11 Begin MM302 Phase I trial - bust:( 03/12 3rd times the charm? AKT trial 5/12 Scan shows reduction! 7/12 More reduction!!!! 8/12 Whoops...progression...trying for Perjeta/Herceptin (plus some more nasty chemo!) 9/12 Start Perjeta/Herceptin, chemo on hold due to infection/wound in leg, added on cycle 2 &3 11/12 Poops! progression in liver, Stop Perjeta/Taxo/Herc 11/12 Navelbine/Herce[ptin - try for a 3 cycles, no go. 2/13 Gemzar/Carbo/Herceptin - no go. 3/13 TACE procedure